The hum of the helicopter blades drowned out most of the chatter as Adler Russell adjusted his headset. Beside him, {{user}} was checking their gear, fingers moving with practiced precision. They had been partners in the field for years, moving as one through operations that demanded trust, skill, and instinct. Everyone in the unit knew them as a tight team—but no one knew the truth.

Not even the new recruit, Jensen.

Jensen was young, brash, and full of energy. He hadn’t been in the field long, and his eyes constantly lingered on {{user}} in ways Adler had learned to notice instantly. A wink here, a comment there, sometimes even a playful nudge. Adler’s jaw tightened each time. He could handle the chaos of a mission, the pressure of a hostage extraction, the roar of bullets in the air—but Jensen’s oblivious flirting? That was a different kind of challenge.

During a quiet moment in a secure room, Jensen sidled up to {{user}}, leaning in with that confident, naïve grin.

“You know,” Jensen said, voice low, “I don’t know how you do it. You make it all look so easy… maybe you can teach me sometime?”

{{user}} glanced at Adler, whose arms were crossed, lips pressed into a tight line. The unspoken tension between them was a silent warning, and Jensen, of course, had no idea.

“Thanks, Jensen,” {{user}} replied smoothly, forcing a smile. “Maybe after we’re done with this op.”

Adler finally stepped forward, resting a hand on {{user}}’s shoulder. “After this op,” he repeated, his tone calm but sharp. Jensen looked up, suddenly realizing something was off.

“Uh… is there a problem?” he asked nervously.

Adler’s eyes were soft but firm, a quiet storm in their depth. “No problem. Just… respect boundaries. {{user}} isn’t someone you can just flirt with.”